QUICK GUIDE TO FIGURES

The three most common types of figures that will be reproduced in ASCE journals are lineart, halftone,
and photos:
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LINEART
This type of figure contains only lines and text, with no pictures. Further, all lines should be set in
blackcolors, including gray, are not allowed in a lineart figure.

HALFTONE
A halftone figure contains color or black-and-white gradients, which produce a continuous color tone
within the image. Halftone images are usually computer generated.

PHOTOS
Photos can be in color or black and white.

Each image type has a different set of technical specifications. Examples of each type of image, along
with minimum and preferred specifications, appear in the table below:

Image Type Lineart Halftone Photo

Example

Minimum DPI 600 300 200

Preferred DPI 1200 600 600

Typical
size of 3.5 in. (8.89 cm) 3.5 in. (8.89 cm) 3.5 in. (8.89 cm)
reproduction
BMP, DOC, DOCX,EPS (with BMP, EPS (with fonts EPS (with fonts
fonts embedded), PDF (with embedded), PDF (with
Supported file types
embedded), PDF (with fonts fonts fonts
embedded), PS,TIF/TIFF embedded), PS,TIF/TIFF embedded), PS,TIF/TIFF
Note: All fonts should be scaled to reproduce at 8 points when figure is displayed at reproduction size
listed above.

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 SUBMITTING FIGURES AS PDF

Figures submitted in PDF format need to follow certain guidelines in order to be acceptable for
publication in an ASCE journal. Specifically, all PDF figures must be high resolution (600 dpi or greater),
and all fonts must be embedded in the image.
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In order to make the process of creating PDF figures easier for our authors, ASCE has developed a PDF
Distiller template. When used, this template will ensure that your PDFs are created with the highest
quality and that they meet the guidelines for ASCE publication.

To use this template, you must have Adobe Acrobat (version 8.0 or later) installed on your computer.
Note that the free Adobe Reader application will not work, as it does not have the ability to create PDF
files. Also, this template can only be used on a PCa Mac version is not available at this time.

The zipped file available for download below consists of two parts: (1) a setup program to install the
template on your PC and (2) instructions for using the template in PDF format. Please save the zipped
file in a convenient location, such as your Desktop. When the download is complete, open the zipped file
and then double-click on the PDF instructions. These instructions will indicate how to install the
template and use it with your Windows programs. Download the ASCE PDF Figures Setup Program and
Instructions [ZIP file, 490 KB].

TIPS ON SCANNING

Scanned line drawings or photographs may be submitted as electronic artwork. Authors should refer to
the tips below in order to produce good scanned images that pass smoothly through the production
process.

If possible, use a flatbed scanner rather than a sheet-fed scanner. Flatbed scanners produce less
distortion.
Determine the optimum size of the figure (from Quick Guide to Figures) and calculate the
percentage of expansion or reduction before scanning. Scan the figure at that percentage.
Determine the optimum resolution of the figure (from Quick Guide to Figures) and scan the
figure at that resolution or higher.
Avoid scanning line drawings or photographs that already have screening or have been
previously published. The existing screening will interfere with the screening that will be applied
when the article is printed. If figures such as this must be scanned, look for the feature in the
scanning software that compensates for existing screening (sometimes called de-screening).
Use a suitable software program (such as Adobes Photoshop or Photoshop Elements) to correct
and adjust the scans. Specifically,
o Adjust each image so that it is straight (not tilted).
o Crop each image to eliminate excess white space and stray lines. Try to crop each image
to eliminate extraneous objects or areas.
o Clean up (using the eraser function) dirt, scratches, and smudges.

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 o Convert color images to black-and-white or grayscale images, if choosing to print in
black and white.
o Eliminate muddiness by adjusting the contrast of photographs. Pictures should have
strong black areas and strong white areas.
Save scans as .tif files.
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TIPS ON PREPARING PHOTOGRAPHS

Photographs require a little extra care to prepare, whether the submission includes original artwork,
scans, or images from a digital camera. The following tips apply to all photographs:

Select photographs that show only what is important to the text. Crop out blank areas, clutter,
and unrelated objects.
Select photographs in sharp focus and with good contrast; photos tend to lose some detail
during reproduction.
If taking original photographs, make sure the subject is adequately lighted. Use plain
backgrounds for objects, and consider adding an element to indicate scale. Take several shots
from different angles and with different settings.
Avoid including company logos, unless the point of the photograph is to show a specific piece of
equipment.
If a photograph has a recognizable face, a Photography Consent Form from the person/people in
the photo may be required.

Images taken with a digital camera should be done using a camera with at least 5 megapixels
preferably with 8 megapixels or more. Set the camera to collect enough digital information. Many
cameras default to 72 ppi, which is not adequate for print reproduction. Select a setting to collect at
least 600 ppi. Images from digital cameras must be submitted as electronic files.

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